Typographical composing machine



June 18, 1929. .J; R R0635 v 1,117,411

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR June 18, 1929. J. R. ROGERS 1,717,411

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR BY ATTOZNEYI June 18, 1929. .1. R. ROGERS TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1928 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 FWD NVENTOR June 18,- 1929. J, R, ROGERS 1,717,411

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 18, 1929. R, ROGERS 1,717,411

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSINQ MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 usually include Patented June 18, 1929.

UNIT ED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

JOHN R. ROGERS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LI NOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE.

Application filed. November 9, 1928. Serial No. 318,112.

This invention relates to typographical composing machines, and more particularly to the keyboard mechanisms employed in said machines. These keyboard mechanisms (see Dodge Patent No. 530,931) two series of trip dogs which are connected to the finger keys through a single series of vertical actuating slides and are adapted by the manipulation of the keys to control the action of horizontally disposed power-operated cam yokes arranged to engage and operate the matrix releasing devices. To insure the proper operation of the keyboard mechanism, it is essential that all moving parts thereof be kept thorough clean,

as otherwise'their action becomes sluggish and delays the release of the matrices, causing transpositions and other difficulties in as- 7 series.

sembling. It is, therefore, customary to construct the keyboard mechanism in a way that will permit the ready removal of the various elements thereof either individually or in For example, the cam yokes which require the most frequent attention are usual- 1y mounted so that they maybe lifted out individually by merely lowering a common retaining bar (see Muehleisen Patent No.

1,056,355), and as disclosed in the later patent to Kennedy No. 1,487,784, the vertical actuating slides as well as the'power driven rolls are mounted in separate or subsidiary frames which are detachably connected to the main keyboard frame. In other words, according to recent developments in the art, persistent efforts have been made to facilitate the removal of the various parts of the keyboard mechanism for the purpose of keeping them in perfect condition, and while such efforts have been successful to a certain degree, it is still difficult to gainaccess to the parts and particularly those parts located at the rear of the keyboard.

The present invention is intended to obviate such difficulties and at the same time to provide for the removal of the various elements of the keyboard mechanism with the desired facility. To this end, the main keyboard frame, instead of being bolted to the machine frame as heretofore, is movably mounted therein so that the entire keyboard structure may be shifted instantly from its operative position and clear of the neighboring parts to give complete access to the individual elements comprising the keyboard structure. In the embodiment illustrated, the movable swung freely to and from its operative position.

In the accompanying drawings, the invent1on:1s shown merely in preferred form and by way of example, but obviously many changes and variations may be made therein which will still be comprised within its scope. It should, therefore, be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form r embodiment except in'so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a portion of a linotype machine equipped with the present improvements Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view, partly broken away, of the keyboard and adjacent parts;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

ing the keyboard unit swung forward to a position at'right angles to the front of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a portion of the keyboard mechanism, showing the manner in which an individual cam yoke is re moved;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation, partly broken away, of the improved keyboard unit locked in its operative position; and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views showing the means employed for connecting and dis connecting the assembler elevator with and from its operating lever.

The matrices X are normally stored in the channeled magazine A and are released therefrom by the escapement actuating devices or reeds A under the influence of the keyboard mechanism, passing when released onto the inclined assembling belt A which conveys them to the assembler elevator A wherein they are composed in line preparatory to their delivery to the casting mechanism.

The keyboard mechanism comprises, as usual, two series of yokes or levers B.whose inner ends rest upon angular trip dOgs C, and which'are formed attheir opposite ends with open slots 7) engaging transverse pivot rods B extending across the keyboard from one side to the other. Between their ends, the yokes B are provided with rotatable cams or eccentrics 13 positioned directly above a pair of power driven rolls I), there being one roll for each series of yokes. The trip dogs support the cam yokes at such height as will maintain the cams B out of engagement with the rolls D, the cams in this position of the parts being held against rotary motion by their engagement with fixed stop pins D The cam yokes B of the respective series are maintained. resiliently engaged with the rods B by spring plungers B carried in a pair of retaining bars B arranged above the yokcs. These bars are hi ngedly mounted on the rods 13 and are capable of being swung to and from their normal position to free the yokes so that the latter, as permitted by the slots 6, may be readily disengaged from the rods and removed when desired 5). In order to hold the bars upright in their normal position, each is provided with manually operable latches or hooks B (Fig. 2) piv otally mounted on fixed portions of keyboard framework. The trip dogs C are connected to a single series of vertical keybars or slides C formed at their upper ends with open notches 0 wherein the trip dogs engage, and which are actuated by the horizontal pivoted finger keys or key levers E. -These levers are arranged as usual in a plurality of tiers or rows within the box-like casing E and have their rear ends loosely engaged in notches 0 formed in the forward edges of the slides C V'Vhen a finger key is depressed, the slide C connected thereto is actuated and the corresponding cam yoke B is released by the intervening trip dog Q. As the yoke drops, the cam B journaled therein is disengaged from the stop pin D and falls into peripheral contact with the underlying roll D, which retates the cam and causes the yoke it reciprocates to operate the associated reed A All of the parts above described are supported directly or indirectly in the main keyboard frame F, which comprises as usual the horizontal base portion F? and the two up right side posts F secured to the rear edge thereof. In certain of the more recent linotype models, the actuating slides C and the rolls D together with the yokes and trip dogs, are mounted respectively in. separate subsidiary frames G, G detachably secured to the upright posts F The foregoing parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or may be the same as those embodied in con'imercial linotype machines or as shown and described in the Kennedy patent before mentioned.

According to the present invention, the keyboard mechanism is mounted in the machine frame 0 so that it may be moved relatively to the assembling devices and other fixed parts of the machine into and out of operative position, and in the preferred embodin'ient herein illustrated, it is pivotally connected to said frame by means of a vertical pivot stud F screwed into the bottom of the keyboard frame F (see Fig. Normally, or when in operative position, the frame F is supported at its opposite sides on flanges or ledges O 0 of the machine frame 0, but these supporting flanges are so disposed that the frame may be freely swung to and fro about the stud F whenever desired. As best shown in Fig. 4, the pivot stud F is journaled in the right-hand ledge 0 a such point that the rear section of the keyboa rd mechanism (in fact, all parts thereof) will be rendered entirely accessible by swin ing the frame F forwardly through an ang of 90 degrees. At the extreme left, the hr. 7. portion F of the keyboard frame is provided with a stop plate F which projects below the bottom edge thereof and is adapted when the keyboard mechanism is swun rearwardly to abut against the front face of the lefthand supporting ledge 0 The keyboard mechanism by such engagement is stopped in its operative position, and any danger of its, bemg swung too far to the rear with possibl V damage to the parts is thus eliminated.

It is desirable, for obvious reasons, that the keyboard mechanism be held rigidly in its operative position, and for this purpose there is provided a vertically disposed locking pin H which is loosely carried in an an 'gular bracket piece H secured to the underside of the left-hand supporting ledge The pin H is threaded at its upper end and pro ects through a clearance hole 1n the ledge O so as to have a threaded engagement into the base portion F of the keyboard frame F. At its lower end, the pin H is provided with a transverse crank handle H by which it may be turned one way to enthe threads and lock the keyboard frame, or turned the other way to disengage the threads preparatory to swinging the keyboard mechanism about its pivotal axis F The threaded engagement; of the pin H into the frame ll is limited by a collar H fastened to the shank portion thereof and which is adapted to bind against the underside of the ledge as the pin moves upwardly. At times when the threads are disenga d, the collar serves alsoto sustain the pin in the bracket H at the proper level to clear the bottom of the supporting frame as the keyboard mechanism is swung to and from its operative position.

I-leretofore, and in the standard machines, the escapement actuating reeds A have been operated directly by the cam yokes 3, their lower ends being supported by fixed guide members of the keyboard frame. In thepresent instance, however, and as best shown in Fig. 6, the lower ends of the reeds A terminate above the upper level of the keyboard unit, so that they will not interfere withany part thereof during its pivotal movement. An operative connection between the reeds and the respective cam yokes is established by meansofa single series of vertically movable short reed sections J mounted in and carried by the keyboard frame F. These reed sections thus serve as interponents for transmitting motion from the cam yokes B to the main reeds A when the finger keys are operated.

In carrying out the invention, means are also provided for connecting and disconnecting the assembler elevator A with and from its fore-and-aft operating lever F, the latter, as usual, being keyed to a transverse rock shaft F journaled in front side bearings F projecting from the keyboard frame F. As shown in detail in Fig. 8, such means COII'. sist of a knobbed pin K mounted for longitudinal movement on a bolt K fastened transversely in thelower end of a link A depending from the assembler elevator A The inner end of the pin K is reduced in diameter and is held resiliently againsta shoulder of the bolt K by a compression spring K surrounding the bolt. The lever F is formed at its rear end with an open longitudinal slot 7 and a transverse recess 7 which communicates therewith and whose diameter is slightly greater than that of the slot. Under normal conditions, the slot f is engaged with the bolt K and the reduced end of the pin K fits snugly into the recess 7 so as to effect a pivotal connection between the link A and the lever F and permit the elevator A to be raised and lowered by the shaft F. lVhen, however, it is desired to break this connection preparatory to moving the keyboard mechanism, the pin K is manually withdrawn from the recess 7 against the tension of spring K and the link A is swung rearwardly to disengage the bolt from the slot 7. The lever F is then lowered into engagement with a retaining latch which is also provided for holding the lever temporarily in a convenient position adjacent the base frame F when the keyboard mechanism is moved. The latch may be of any desired construction and, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 9, comprises a vertically disposed rocker finger L arranged below the lever F and pivotally mounted on a screw L threaded into the side of the base frame F The finger L is held yieldingly against a stop pin L by light wire spring L looped around the pivot screw L and carries a stud L which projects laterally from its outer side face directly beneath the rear end of the lever F". As a result of this arrangement, when the lever I is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, it will ongage the stud L and cam it backwardly until the latter finally snaps into the slot f. In re leasing the lever, it is merely necessary to press the fingerL rearwardly to. disengage the stud L from the slot f and after the lever is moved out of the way, the finger gnay be allowed to resume its original position against the stop pin L It will now be seen that, according to the foregoing arrangement, full and complete access may be easily and quickly had to all parts of the keyboard mechanism merely by swinging it bodily about the pivot screw F after first having disconnected the assembler elevator from its operating lever F 5 and then unlocked the keyboard frame F. If it happens to be a cam yoke of the rear series that requires attention, any one of these, irrespective of their location, may be readily removed in the usual way by lowering the retaining bar B The two subsidiary frames G and G are also brought into a most desirable position for removal and replacement,

and moreover certain parts of the machine proper, which have heretofore been concealed or rendered inaccessible by the keyboard mechanism, may likewise be inspected and repaired with greater freedom.

Having thus described my invention, its construction, and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, and a supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained, said frame being pivotedon a vertical aXis located adjacent one end thereof so as to permit the keyboard mechanism to be moved bodily into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices, for the purpose described.

2. In a typographical composing machine,

the combination of a series of 'escapement ac- 1 tuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, and a supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained, said frame being pivotally connected to the machine frame on a vertical axis located at the right thereof so as to permit the keyboard mechanism to be swung bodily about its pivotal axis into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices, as desired.

3. In a. typographical. composingmachine,

the combination ofa series of ,escapementactuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, and a supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained, said frame being pivoted on a vertical axis to the machine frame so as to permit the keyboard mechanism to be swung horizontal- 1y into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices, for the purpose described.

4. Ina typographicalcomposing machine,

the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism pivotaily mounted in the machine frame to turn about a vertical axis so that it may be swung bodily into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices, and means for locking said mechanism against pivotal. movement.

5. In a typographicalcomposing machine, the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices and comprising individually removable units, and a supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained, said frame being pivotally connected to the machine frame on a vertical axis so as to permit the key-board mechanism to be swung bodily out operative relation to the escapement actuating devices for access to the individually removable units.

6. in a typographical composing machine,

I the combination of a series of cscapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices and comprising a se ries of removable cam yokes, and a supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained, said frame being pivotally connected to the machine frame so that the keyboard mechanism may be swung bodily out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices to facilitate the removal of the cam yokes.

7. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices and comprising a series of removable cam yokes, a supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained, and a bar mounted on the supporting frame and movable at will to active and inactive position to retain the cam yokes in place, the said supporting frame being pivotally connected to the machine frame so that the keyboard mechanism may be swung bodily out of operative relation to the cscapement actuating devices to provide freedom in manipulating the yoke-retaining bar and to facilitate the removal of. the cam yokes.

8. In a. typographical composing machine, the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for op erating said devices, a supporting frame for the keyl'ioard mechanism pivotally mounted in the machine frame so that the said mechanism may be swung to and from its operative position, and means carried by the supporting for making and breaking an operative connection between said mechanism and the escapement actuating devices as the frame is swung to and from its operative position.

9. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, a supporting frame for the keyboard mechanism movably mounted in the machine frame so that the said mechanism may be shifted to and from its operative position, and a series of short reed sections carried by the supporting frame for making and breaking an operative connection between said mechanism and the escapement actuating devices as the frame is moved to and from its operative position.

10. In a typographical composing machine equipped with a matrix magazine, the combination of a series of escapement actuating devices for effecting the release of matrices therefrom. an assembler elevator for receiving the released matrices, a keyboard mechanism for operating the escapement devices, a pivoted supporting frame wherein the keyboard mechanism is sustained and movable about its pivotal axis to permit access to the l-reyl'ioard mechanism, a hand lever ournaled on the supporting frame for operating the assembler elevator, and means for connecting and disconnecting said lever with and from the elevator to permit the pivotal movement of the keyboard mechanism.

11. In a typographical composing machine, the combination with a series of escapement actuating devices, of a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, said keyboard mechanism comprising a series of poweractuated cam yokes or levers, a corresponding series of finger keys controlling the operation of said cam yokes, and a supporting frame wherein the cam yokes and finger keys with their appurtenant parts are mounted, said supporting frame being movably mounted in the machine frame so that the entire keyboard mechanism may be shifted into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices.

12. In a typographical composing machine, the combination with a series of actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, said keyboard mechanism comprising the series of pivoted cam yokes B carrying the rotary cams or eccentrics B the power-driven roll or rolls D, the trip dogs C, the finger keys E, and the intermediate slides C and a supporting frame wherein all of said elements are mounted, said frame being movably mounted in the machine frame so that the entire keyboard mechanism may be shifted into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices, and said frame presenting a detachable section carrying the slides C whereby the removal of the slides C may be conveniently effected by moving the supporting frame out of operative relati on to the escapement actuating devices.

13. In a typographical composing machine, the combination with a series of actuating devices, a keyboard mechanism for operating said devices, said keyboard mechanism comprising the series of pivoted cam yokes B carrying the rotary cams or eccentrics B the power-driven roll or rolls D, the trip dogs C, the finger keys E, and the intermediate slides C and a supporting frame wherein all of said elements are mounted, said frame be ing movably mounted in the machine frame so that the entire keyboard mechanism may be shifted into and out of operative relation to the escapement actuating device, and said frame presenting a detachable section carrying the cam yokes B, the power roll I), and the trip dog C, whereby the removal of this 10 group of elements may be readily effected by moving the supporting frame out of operative relation to the escapement actuating devices.

In testimony whereof, this specification. has been duly signed by:

JOHN R. ROGERS. 

